Revised December 15, 2025
Cities face two factors of dealing with PFAS1: First, the practical handling of lawsuit settlement funds and (2) the government responsibility to be transparent for municipal water customers
In 2023 the City of Shorewood agreed to participate in class action lawsuit settlements involving chemical companies (DuPont and 3M) for the proliferation of PFAS in public water supplies. It was eligible to participate because of the MN Department of Health’s (MDH) statewide PFAS Monitoring Project. It’s hard to put the findings in lay terms. For example, one city well had 0.067 (parts per billion or ppb) of PFAS in 2021. Though considered well below MDH then guidance of 7.0, Shorewood did qualify to be part of the class action. Testing conducted in 2024 showed measurements ranging from 0-0.011 ppb. Confused?
These test results determined settlement amounts. Shorewood isn’t alone. It does face more questions and decisions. Other cities in Minnesota also grapple with the PFAS situation. As PFAS spread through groundwater, the number of cities will increase.
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1What is “PFAS?” PFAS chemicals (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a large group of man-made “forever chemicals” used for their water, grease, and heat resistance in products like nonstick pans, waterproof clothes, firefighting foams, and food packaging. PFAS don’t break down. They accumulate in the environment and bodies, and are linked to serious health issues like cancer and immune problems. PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they literally last for thousands of years and were primarily manufactured by DuPont and 3M. |
Shorewood has received PFAS class action settlement payments. Here’s more about that:
- The City has received a net settlement payment from DuPont of $17,142.74 and two net settlement payments from 3M in the amounts of $26,516.24 and $68,650.50.
- More 3M settlement payments are scheduled each year starting in 2026 through 2033.
The Council had to decide on one of two choices presented by Admin. Nevinski and his staff before accepting the coming 3M funds:
- Option 1: Annual payments of approximately $26,000 in 2026 and then varying annual amounts – a total $68,199.88 over eight years; or
- Option 2: Take an accelerated lump sum payment of $54,969.70, less a service fee of $2,387.00 totaling $52,582.71.
Council member Sanschagrin, who is a CPA, supported the annual payment schedule instead of the staff recommendation. Nevinski’s memo countered that the one-time $52k payment would support a “massive cash infusion” into the water fund and would make staff record keeping easier.
Council member DiGruttolo said her understanding is the settlement money is designated for remediation. She asked if it was the city’s intent that settlement payments go into the water enterprise fund. Nevinski did not give a clear answer. With no display of urgency, he said the low percentage of PFAS in city wells has a minor impact. He added that he did not know the cost of remediation. Public Works Director Morreim said testing the six city-owned wells would be a significant cost (amount not provided) and will be done sometime in 2026. For now, the settlement monies will continue to go into the municipal water fund.
Nevinski gets the benefit of the doubt for his “casual” response this time. He may not know much about PFAS. Here’s what he should know:
- Repeated exposures to PFAS add up in the body over time. This cumulative effect is a key concern with “forever chemicals” because the rate at which they are taken into the body often exceeds the rate at which they are eliminated. Small exposures add up over time. And, there is more.
- PFAS has a half-life, similar to nuclear waste: How long it takes for half of the chemical to leave the body.
- There is no identified safe level of exposure. All PFAS are considered potentially harmful, even at very low levels, rather than harmless.
Questions remain:
- How many of the six Shorewood wells have been tested for PFAS and what were the results?
Shorewood was notified by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in Oct. 2022 that the Amesbury well (east Shorewood) tested positive for PFAS. The results weren’t posted on the city website until 14 months after testing: Dec. 2023. Any reader must be a water testing expert to decipher the reporting.
Read: Shorewood City Water Report: Forever Chemicals (SCA, Apr. 2024) - Is the city prohibited from subsequent legal action because it has accepted these settlements?
- Is there a plan for a city-wide water treatment system and how will it be funded and could the settlement funds be “seed money” for a treatment plant to guarantee safe drinking water?
What about other cities?
- Locally, Minnetonka Beach is building a new $14.3M+ water treatment plant, set for completion in mid-2026. It is specifically designed with future PFAS filtration capabilities, alongside treatment for iron and manganese. Source: Village of Minnetonka Beach
- Mound’s municipal water is undrinkable because of dangerous amounts of manganese. Since 2023 the city has acquired $11.3 million of the $36 million needed to fund a water treatment plant.
- Across the state, cities from Bemidji to Cottage Grove have unsafe levels of PFAS in their municipal water systems. Source: Minnesota Department of Health
The council did the right thing by following Sanschagrin’s position and going against the lump sum payment recommendations. However, the staff failed customer safety by showing more concern with grabbing the money than planning for current and future water contamination issues.
EDIT: Have your water tested independently:
Twin City Water Clinic
617 13th Ave S, Hopkins
952-935-3556
Engel Water Testing
9300 County Road 15
Minnetrista
952-955-1800
Watch:
The council conversation start at min. 01:35:14
